Wyoming library bucks censorship trend

As more libraries are considering restrictions on access to information through such measures as Internet filtering software, Wyoming's Sweetwater County Library system is opting to continue its policy of open access to information — including R-rated videos — for all age-groups.

During a recent meeting of the Sweetwater County Library Board, members determined that the system's open access policy should stand.

“This policy puts responsibility where it ought to be—on the parents,” said Board Chairman Ron Beck.

The issue came before the board after a local resident said she was concerned about the library's stock of R-rated videos. Diana Hardy asked the board to consider implementing a rating system similar to those used in video rental stores.

Helen Higby, the library system's director, said the system's lending policy only allows for limits on the number of books a patron borrows and the length of time they may be kept. Some items, such as reference books, professional materials and rare books, are not available for loan.

“And that's it,” Higby said. “So when this patron requested that we limit checkout of videos, it was a request that went contrary to our policy.”

Higby said the request is also contrary to the library's mission statement, which says the purpose of the institution is to help its patrons “meet their educational, cultural and recreational needs by providing organized, uncensored collections, current technology and a highly trained staff.”

“I have found that I end up defending principle … over pieces of crummy stuff that I would assume didn't even exist,” she said. “That is difficult.”

But Higby said that once parents sign a document allowing their children to obtain library cards, the staff should not have the right to act as a parent and limit what children can check out.

“If parents restrict their children to the youth services department, I can guarantee that children won't encounter any R-rated videos,” Higby said. “But it is not the library staff's responsibility to restrict children to one part of the library or another. Nor do I think that is a suitable responsibility.”

Ann Symons, the new president for the American Library Association, said she was pleased to hear of Sweetwater's policy because librarians should always “stand for more access, not less,” since the library is “the cornerstone of democracy.”

“We come to work every day to impart knowledge, not to restrict it,” Symons said. “It's always been the rule of the parents to decide what their children should read and see and view.”

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THE EXPERTS

The First Amendment Center is an educational organization and cannot provide legal advice.

Ken Paulson is president of the First Amendment Center and dean of the College of Mass Communication at Middle Tennessee State University. He is also the former editor-in-chief of USA Today.

Gene Policinski, chief operating officer of the Newseum Institute, also is senior vice president of the First Amendment Center, a center of the institute. He is a veteran journalist whose career has included work in newspapers, radio, television and online.

John Seigenthaler founded the Newseum Institute’s First Amendment Center in 1991 with the mission of creating national discussion, dialogue and debate about First Amendment rights and values.

About The First Amendment Center

We support the First Amendment and build understanding of its core freedoms through education, information and entertainment.

The center serves as a forum for the study and exploration of free-expression issues, including freedom of speech, of the press and of religion, and the rights to assemble and to petition the government.

Founded by John Seigenthaler, the First Amendment Center is an operating program of the Freedom Forum and is associated with the Newseum and the Diversity Institute. The center has offices in the John Seigenthaler Center at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., and at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.

The center’s website, www.firstamendmentcenter.org, is one of the most authoritative sources of news, information and commentary in the nation on First Amendment issues. It features daily updates on news about First Amendment-related developments, as well as detailed reports about U.S. Supreme Court cases involving the First Amendment, and commentary, analysis and special reports on free expression, press freedom and religious-liberty issues. Support the work of the First Amendment Center.

1 For All

1 for All is a national nonpartisan program designed to build understanding and support for First Amendment freedoms. 1 for All provides teaching materials to the nation’s schools, supports educational events on America’s campuses and reminds the public that the First Amendment serves everyone, regardless of faith, race, gender or political leanings. It is truly one amendment for all. Visit 1 for All at http://1forall.us/

Help tomorrow’s citizens find their voice: Teach the First Amendment

The most basic liberties guaranteed to Americans – embodied in the 45 words of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution – assure Americans a government that is responsible to its citizens and responsive to their wishes.

These 45 words are as alive and important today as they were more than 200 years ago. These liberties are neither liberal nor conservative, Democratic nor Republican – they are the basis for our representative democratic form of government.

We know from studies beginning in 1997 by the nonpartisan First Amendment Center, and from studies commissioned by the Knight Foundation and others, that few adult Americans or high school students can name the individual five freedoms that make up the First Amendment.

The lesson plans – drawn from materials prepared by the Newseum and the First Amendment Center – will draw young people into an exploration of how their freedoms began and how they operate in today’s world. Students will discuss just how far individual rights extend, examining rights in the school environment and public places. The lessons may be used in history and government, civics, language arts and journalism, art and debate classes. They may be used in sections or in their entirety. Many of these lesson plans indicate an overall goal, offer suggestions on how to teach the lesson and list additional resources and enrichment activities.

First Amendment Moot Court Competition

This site no longer is being updated … And the competition itself is moving to Washington, D.C., where the Newseum Institute’s First Amendment Center is co-sponsoring the “Seigenthaler-Sutherland Cup National First Amendment Moot Court Competition,” March 18-19, in partnership with the Columbus School of Law, of the Catholic University of America.

During the two-day competition in February, each team will participate in a minimum of four rounds, arguing a hypothetical based on a current First Amendment controversy before panels of accomplished jurists, legal scholars and attorneys.

FIRST AMENDMENT CENTER ARCHIVES

State of the First Amendment survey reports

The State of the First Amendment surveys, commissioned since 1997 by the First Amendment Center and Newseum, are a regular check on how Americans view their first freedoms of speech, press, assembly, religion and petition.

The periodic surveys examine public attitudes toward freedom of speech, press, religion and the rights of assembly and petition; and sample public opinion on contemporary issues involving those freedoms.
See the reports.